“So, we have to get your assets released as the first port of call. As they were put on a freeze while you’re a missing person, and they can be reinstated once your DA test comes back positive.” Bryant is explaining, and yet I’m staring at Jyeon as he walks around and sits beside him like he’s a despicable monster. Angry at how low he can go as a human. Frowning and inwardly murmuring a hundred curse words.
“Well, can you explain why she’s dead in the first place?” Greta cuts in, seeing that I’m somewhat distracted, and hauls her cell phone from her pocket to pull up a news article from two years ago declaring such. We agreed I needed answers as it was the catalyst to my never coming back.
Jyeon frowns at it, seemingly not shocked at this coming up, and then nods.
“Because we had to. My mother and brother were
“Don’t be nervous. They’ll be shocked at first, but I didn’t want to tell them beforehand and get mom worked up on the flight home. It’s better for her to be calm at all times.” Jyeon is pacing the Livingroom of the house that used to be my home as I sit on the long beige couch. The entire place seems to have been redone and updated in the last two years and looks even more like a cold, uninviting show home. It’s familiar, yet not, and surreal to be sitting here again.I’m silently pensive and watch him trying to stay chill, even though he’s very uptight. He’s more wound up about this than I am, which I’m not sure about why. In contrast, I’m emotionally blank from being back here and trying to take in all manner of feelings about it in a detached kind of way. Greta is home sulking because I told her I wanted to do this alone.&l
“No.”“It’s safer here. I can do more for you if you’re home.” Jyeon’s stubborn tone moves in under that husky voice that used to melt me to my core. He’s always had a pleasant voice, but I’m not a fan right now.“You just want to put me somewhere you can control and keep tabs on me with extra helpers. Did you forget that someone in this house tampered with your car? That I don’t remember these people or this place…. that I don’t feel comfortable here. That I don’t want to live here.”He sighs heavily and turns his head my way.“I’m looking into it. I honestly don’t believe anyone here would do anything like that. It makes no sense, unless they wanted to hurt me….and then, who? Does that make sense to you? It might have been
I’m trembling inside at the turn of this conversation and annoyed that I keep giving him angles to have these heart to hearts. I walk myself into it every time, and he’s being so god damn vocal and open, unlike him of the past who would never share his thoughts and feelings with me, that it always catches me off guard. Trapped between him and his words while being faced with a sea of memories back when I thought Jyeon would be my entire life.“So, what happens to her now? If I’m here and I remember everything. If you get your way and I stay married to you against my will? Does your mistress still stay in the picture too? One cosy little happy family.” I turn on him, thinking face to face, acting cold is the better option for this chat. Show him I’m not affected or that I care. That the bitch he hated before can still show face. To turn it back to something negative.I’m startled to find him right behind me, staring at the back
Perfectly captured softness, a setting sun, gentle waves, and the tones of the sand and sea contrast the little dark-haired duo dressed in pristine white formal clothes. The boy stands a head taller and is leaning in slightly to the little girl, her hand clasped so gently in his as though he’s telling her something, and she’s listening intently. Whoever took it got the composure and lighting perfect. The children look young, but there’s a sense of them being caught in their own bubble and oblivious to everything around them except the view. It’s cute and somehow tugs at my heart painfully with a foggy distant feeling of familiarity.“What is this?” I honestly don’t have a clue what it is, even if the kids do strike a resemblance to Jyeon and me. I don’t remember this. But then I forgot a lot of things from when I was young. I’m sure most people do.“That’s us. You were six, and I was nine. It was after a
I walk away and stand by the corner of the bookcase as he seems to pull himself back together physically. Flicking a glance my way and exhaling like he’s disappointed by their arrival. I ignore him, well aware I was just saved from a colossal mistake, and concentrate on self-calming the internal chaos he caused with what he almost did to me.The main door, which faces side on from where I am, is opened, and two figures wander in arm in arm. Yoonah supports his mother as though she has difficulty walking and wheeling in a case with them. They are semi-concealed by the low glass separator that makes the open-plan space into a defined hall and living room where they stop to remove their shoes. Oblivious to my presence at all because of the way they are facing. I watch in wide-eyed silence, my heart erupting with nerves as the two people who used to be my everything take off their outer wear, turning my insides to absolute mush
“It’s this way.” Jyeon leads me along the corridor of the house's second floor, and I pretend I have no clue as to where I am going. It’s not high on my priority list of things to do ever again in my life, but it was the perfect escape route. So glad to have this excuse of seeing our old room while mother and Yoonha sit downstairs and let this past hour sink in. I thought mother would never let go of my hand and stop hugging me. It was weirding me out how emotionally overwrought she was, how affectionate.I’m tense all over and emotionally drained as though they both sucked all my energy out. Yoonha was oddly pensive and quiet and sat by my side, holding my hand without saying a whole lot. Like he couldn’t formulate words other than I’m sorry, which I didn’t understand at all. Maybe guilt that he believed I was dead and stopped looking. I don’t know.“There’s no point touring most of the house as mother
This is one thing that’s been bothering me a lot. That Jyeon hasn’t placed much emphasis on the drastic humanizing of Sohla Park or acted like it’s a massive factor in our past. Somehow he doesn’t seem to notice how significant a change it is. What happened to all the reasons he despised me? All our differences? Why is he now able to talk of Tia with less venom but couldn’t back then? He says he loves me, but now I am a completely different person. Even I know that.“Because you’re the Sohla I grew up with. You’re not different. You’ve returned to who you were. Before marriage, OLO, loss……. To me, it’s finding the girl that was missing much longer than before the accident. The girl I already loved.”I wish I could argue with that logic, but I guess there’s truth in it. I vaguely remember me of my youth as I seamlessly transitioned over the years. I don’t know what I was like or
“My head’s a mess.” I follow Greta around the market, picking up fruit to examine it before tossing a mango in the bag she’s holding open.“I told you, didn’t I…PI…or some hot detective who can look into your disappearance objectively.” After I'm done, she puts the bag in the cart and follows me along to the next set of display shelves to pick out some bananas.Jyeon made good on his promise to fill the apartment with food and necessities but going to an organic produce market together like this is a rare treat. All the island's fresh fruit and vegetables are shipped over to us. We rarely see anything non-seafood-related in quaint little setups like this. The whole area smells divine with the mingled scents of tropical fruits.“I don’t know. I feel like I’m getting deeper and deeper into hot water the longer we’re here. Maybe I should have some kind of episode and suddenly remember i
One Year Later (final chapter)“Here, watch your step. Take my arm. Be careful, baby.” Jyeon catches me by the elbow as we make our way down the cobbles embedded in soft grass that are a bit slippy from light rain. It’s a beautiful day, drying out from yesterday’s weather as the sun starts to climb, and the birds are singing loudly as though to welcome us here again. We come often, yet the beauty of this place never ceases to please me.I’m carrying a box of plants and flowers, concentrating on leading the way while he makes sure I stay steady. I am focused on today’s task list in my head as it seems we have a jam-packed schedule today. It’s Yoonies birthday, and we have a family tea party after this.“I’m fine. We’re almost there.” I turn back, screwing up my nose and making a silly face at the bundle of joy nestled in his arms that always puts me in a good mood and melt when I get a giggled response. Big brown eyes set in the sweetest face and the cutest dimples, resembling his dadd
I follow Jyeon around behind the estate agent as she shows us the third property today, and I’m a little bored with endless beige walls and marble kitchen counters. It seems to sell, everyone removes all personality from the buildings, and they blend into a see of neutral boringness. Jyeon seems rooted with interest, and all I keep thinking about is how soon we can eat. Fed up with this already.My fingers are held snugly in his as he takes command and leads the way, pulling me along like a tired toddler to view endless open spaces and listen to the droning agent describe the light and airy feel. He seems aware of my lack of interaction. Asking her questions and pointing out things I might like in this property instead of the others to coax me to respond. So far, I haven’t seen many differences to care.I’m so tired and done with this today. Aching all over and back with a shitty morning of nausea and fatigue that’s dragging my mood down.
I prop my chin in my palms while resting my elbows on the table and gaze out over the sea view from the second floor of the shack. Relaxed, and I’m tired today.“Here we go, ladies.” Bryant slides the plates in front of us, wearing a kitchen apron and looking domesticated today. He’s been learning the ropes of working the kitchen with Greta and helping her cook because apparently he’s a master chef, and it’s been his hidden talent for years. She doesn’t seem too enamored with him muscling into her domain, but she hasn’t stopped him either. I wonder if this is him trying to infiltrate because he knows this is a long-term thing for him, and his future lies in helping with the shack.“What is it?” Greta pipes up, gazing up at him across the table from me, and then picks up a fork to prod the pasta with suspicion. No one gives Bryant a hard time like she does, but it’s amusing.“Seafood pasta wi
I’m lying on the couch of the boat, idly watching daytime tv, and keep checking my cell for any messages from Jyeon at the council meeting. Restless, yet I don’t have the energy to do much about it and hate that my own body prevented me from going there. This was my baby, and this is an essential step in proceeding with the plans for the island.Nothing so far, complete radio silence, and I sigh dejectedly, turning on my side and pausing as another wave of nausea laps over me like warm ocean water. A prickling of heat and then cold showering every inch of my skin in a motion that’s happened frequently since I woke up. I hold very still until it passes and then exhale with relief when it dies down again. My brain fixated on the endlessness of waiting here alone, even though the reality is it hasn’t been long at all. Jyeon refused to leave until the last minute because he didn’t want me to fend for myself, and I know he’ll rush right ba
“Hey, sleepyhead. Do you want breakfast?” Jyeon’s gentle voice filters through my sleep-addled brain as warmth envelopes my downward-facing body. Content and heavy in my haven of bliss and not willing to budge just yet, even with his coaxing. I am star-shaped on the double bed and sinking into my comfy softness. His breath on my cheek and fingers lightly skim through my hair, tingling my scalp before he leans in and kisses me with soft grazing on the temple. Cosily snuggled against me, I flicker my eyes open and come around properly.“Hmmm, what time is it?” I stifle a gentle yawn, too relaxed to lift my head or open my eyes. I could get used to this vacation existence with him. For three days, all we did was play in the sand and sea, have sex, eat, and sleep. I’m exhausted still, as though I haven’t slept, so it has to be ridiculously early. We sailed back to the harbor yesterday evening and had ourselves an early night in prep for t
“You look beautiful. Jyeon is the luckiest man alive.” Mother takes my hand at the car door and helps me slide out, adjusting my simple cream lace dress that reaches the ground and fluffing my hair before handing me my bouquet back. It’s fitted down to my thighs and then flairs out enough for a bit of drama in a mermaid tail shape, and today my hair is curled and swept to one side. I feel glamorous and pretty, eager to get moving and see Jyeon.Jyeon wanted to do this right and slept at the hotel last night with Bryant, leaving the boat for me, mother, and Greta to have ourselves a girly bonding sleepover. It was only one night, and yet I missed him like crazy. I haven’t seen him since he kissed me goodbye after supper and told me today was the start of the rest of our lives. It was a long night, and I swear it’s been days instead of hours.I’m nervous even though it seems so stupid to be, given I have known him forever, and this is
Jyeon leads the way up a narrow path worn down and not defined all too well, but a pretty walk through the trampled grass. Lined with trees and shrubs in a secluded part of the island, which took thirty minutes to drive to and I’m shocked he managed to find this place.“Where does this lead, and how did you even find out about it?” I have a tight grasp on his hand as he guides me and stops every few minutes to check my footing, although it’s a pretty easy walk and not steep either. It’s a casual meander through nature, and we come out on top of the most breathtaking flat top with short grass due to some wild horses we saw near the makeshift car park further back. It’s a plateau on a cliff that’s not as high as my thinking spot but looks out over the island's north side where there’s no sign of the village or harbor and feels crazily secluded.“The lady in the bakers told me about it and set it up on my phone app wit
I push the paperwork aside to allow one of the twins to slide the sandwich platter on the table between the four of us and smile her way warmly. Watching as the other lays out four glasses of iced soda to help fuel us for a few more hours. Such attentive employees and I already decided with Greta to keep them as full-time staff when we boost the Shack’s incoming.“Thank you. You’re a star.” I am completely starving after sitting here all morning while we trash out details and plans for the island for the fourth day in a row, and Bryant is taking notes to help draw up the proposal. Jyeon gave him the assignment to work here for two weeks while we do this, and he’s not complaining, even if his legal department is without a head and constantly calls for guidance. He’s been glued to Greta since he got here and now side by side, facing us; I can tell Greta is happy. She still won’t admit they’re officially a couple, yet she blooms wh
Jyeon reaches inside the leather jacket of his causal attire today and tugs out a small bunch of keys. Not hesitating before pulling the right one with a single hand and unlocking the door. Clunk, click…the opening of the vault of my fears.“Ladies first.” He swings it open in front of us and steps aside, letting my hand go to make a move, and I stand frozen as it comes into slow view. My breath hitching as it feels like my heart skips a beat, and my blood runs cold in my veins.The neutral decorated and modern interior is so anally clean and neat that I always liked. Everything had a place, and I never could deal with clutter or lots of art and mess, so it’s pretty organized and minimal, yet the atmosphere is heavy. I can almost visualize the sharp-suited and cold me of old sitting at that large arc of a desk by the windows. Head down, expression blank and barking orders at the poor secretary who resided there. Her desk is vacant and free from